The Science Reflector - NCSTA Newsletter

Teacher Renewal Seminars: The NCCAT Experience
The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, NCCAT offers a full continuum of professional development for teachers from support to beginning teachers to renewal seminars designed to give teachers creative experiences, opportunities for research or scholarly pursuits, and fresh vitality for the important career of education. Teachers of all grade levels and subjects who have been employed full-time in North Carolina public schools for at least three years may choose any seminar of interest. There is no cost to the teacher, but a brief essay and a recommendation from your principal are required. All professional development offerings are available on the NCCAT web page - www.nccat.org.

Wonders of the Appalachian Trail, May 12–16: Cullowhee
Marked by white blazes or mountaintop cairns the Appalachian Trail meanders across scenic ridges and valleys for more than 2,100 miles. Explore the variety and purpose of forest growth, flowering shrubs and flowers like trillium and bloodroot as we embark on easy-to-moderate hikes. Hear the sounds of singing birds passing through in migration. Learn about the history of those whose pioneering vision brought an impossible dream to life. Familiarize yourself with the ecologically proper way to minimize your impact on the backcountry and learn about some of the animals you may encounter. We plan to hike the Nantahala Gorge, Stecoah Gap, Wayah Bald, and Silers Bald areas of the Appalachian Trail.

Natural Rhythms of the River, June 9–13: Cullowhee
Get in touch with the natural rhythms of the river by experiencing them firsthand as we paddle on the waters of western North Carolina. Explore rivers from a historical-geological perspective, tracing the natural progression of streams as they flow through time. Learn about important political issues that center around river use, conservation, and development. Spend time along the banks of local rivers, studying the flora, fauna, and flow of these complex ecosystems. No prior river experience is necessary, although participants should be in good general physical condition for the exciting river raft trip that culminates our week together. Rain or shine, we will get wet.

Winding Through History: The Blue Ridge Parkway, June 16–20: Cullowhee
Out of despair often comes great treasure. The Blue Ridge Parkway was conceived during the time of the Great Depression. In an attempt to break the chains of poverty and unemployment, President Franklin D. Roosevelt spearheaded the movement to build a scenic roadway cresting the peaks of the Appalachian Mountains. Today the Parkway stretches 469 miles from the Shenandoah to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Experience the Parkway firsthand as we search for salamanders and delicate wildflowers on hikes to waterfalls, evergreen forests, and grassy balds. Day trips will be made to the Cradle of Forestry and the Folk Art Center, and one night will be spent camping in the Pisgah Forest on the Parkway.

GLOBE Experience: Make It Earth Day…Every Day!, July 7–11: Cullowhee
Become a part of Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment, a worldwide science and education program. GLOBE coordinates the work of students, teachers, and scientists to study and understand the earth’s environment. Conduct an array of hands-on experiments, ranging from basic weather measurements to water chemistry, biodiversity, and biomass assessments. Use the Internet to transmit data and receive state-of-the-art digital images that bring those numbers to life. Enjoy the classroom of the great outdoors as we implement experiments in the field. Visit a local school to see GLOBE in action. GLOBE activities support the K–12 national science and mathematics standards, but may be more applicable to middle-grade and high-school classrooms.

Taking Care of Ourselves: Nurturing the Nurturer, July 14–18: Cullowhee
As teachers—in fact, as living humans—we cannot exist without stress. But what is stress? What does it mean to our bodies and to the quality of our lives? To the quality of our teaching? How can we manage stress so that it doesn’t manage us? During this week, we will explore these questions through discussions, readings, activities, videos, daily physical exercise, play, and white water rafting. The daily exercise will be T’ai Chi, a gentle routine that can be performed by healthy persons at various levels of conditioning, from couch potatoes to athletes.

Waterfalls: Beauty and Power of Flowing Water, August 18–22: Cullowhee
What are waterfalls and how were they formed in the Appalachians over 250 million years ago? Explore this formation, as well as the botanical characteristics of some of the most beautiful waterfalls in western North Carolina. We’ll hike in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests exploring the sights, sounds, and folklore of the Great Smoky Mountains. Bring your cameras to capture Nature’s beauty as we visit waterfalls such as Bridal Veil, Dry, Juneywhank, Cullasaja, Mingo, and Looking Glass.

Through the Kaleidoscope: Order, Symmetry, and Change, September 8–12: Cullowhee
Kaleidoscopes offer contrasts as symmetrical unity magically emerges from seeming disorder. This transformational metaphor can be applied to life, learning, and our classrooms as we continue to develop an understanding of the world around us. The seminar will combine the hands-on experience of constructing kaleidoscopes, the practicality of how kaleidoscopes can be used educationally, and an exploration of how order springs forth from chaos. Build high quality kaleidoscopes as well as explore how to make inexpensive ones.

Beaches: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, September 15–19: Salter Path
If our students are going to grow into wise citizen-stewards of North Carolina’s cherished coastline, their understanding of the beach has to go deeper than sands, tans, and seafood restaurants. Teachers at all grade levels and subjects are invited for this week of exploring the world of the barrier islands. Investigate changing beach environments, including the consequences of natural phenomena (such as wind and waves) and human manipulation. Study barrier island ecology from sound to sea. Obtain a greater understanding of coastal life, history, and culture through the songs and stories of local residents.

Songs and Tales of Whales and Sails, September 15–19: Salter Path
Our imaginary voyage of discovery begins aboard a nineteenth century whaling ship. Get under way with sailors’ tales, chanteys, and a view of shipboard life from those who first observed, hunted, and experienced these leviathans of the deep. Learn about whale types, whale oil, whale bone, ambergris, and the controversial commercial use of whales. Explore the natural habitat of the North Carolina shore and ride on the Mystery Boat. From Moby Dick to the works of Roger Payne we will explore the literature, science, poetry, and music of whales. (Two participants to a room.)

Stargazing: Majesty and Mystery of the Night Sky, September 15–19: Cullowhee
Join us for a week with faculty from the Morehead Planetarium as we emphasize practical stargazing with the naked eye. Learn about the celestial sphere, how the sky seems to move and change, how to identify many bright stars and constellations, why we have seasons, and the cycles of the moon and planets. Explore phenomena such as eclipses, meteors, comets, and satellites. Master the basics of how to choose and use a telescope as we move to a dark outdoor site to view the evening sky. Hands-on activities will awaken us to the awe and mystery of the cosmos.

The Mountain, September 22–26: Cullowhee
Join staff members from the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences of Raleigh as we examine the mountain as symbol and explore it as physical reality. We will experience the ecology of fall migration, learn about birds and butterflies, and acquire skills to help take the wonders of the natural world back to our classrooms. Hikes are planned for several mountains in Western North Carolina, including an overnight experience at Mount LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This seminar will be physically challenging and requires endurance, good health, and a philosophical attitude about the weather.

Mountain Land, Mountain People, September 24–28: Cullowhee
Southern Appalachian mountain people have close ties with the land. In fact, it is common to find that members of families were buried on the few rocky acres where they lived and worked their entire lives. This seminar will provide rich information for teachers of North Carolina social studies, music, and language arts. We will read and discuss firsthand accounts of the lives of mountain people and travel into the hills, coves, and hollows to meet those who live on and work their land. We will learn about the Cherokee people by visiting the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and touring the Oconaluftee Indian Village. We will spend a day immersed in mountain culture as we experience the Mountain Heritage Day festival at Western Carolina University. Our week will be filled with mountain music and storytelling.

New Neighbors: Latinos in North Carolina, September 29–October 3: Cullowhee
In the last decade, North Carolina has experienced a large migration of Spanish-speaking people into the state. Most of these immigrants are from Mexico. In this seminar learn about the culture, customs, and societal expectations of our southern neighbors and discover how they have begun to meld with and influence North Carolina communities. Learn how recent political and economic occurrences in Mexico have contributed to this migration. Sample the food, music, dance, and art of Mexico. Explore current issues and concerns of Latinos in North Carolina with particular focus on ways to include and serve Spanish-speaking students in the classroom.

How do I apply?
Take advantage of these unique professional development opportunities! Visit the NCCAT Website at www.nccat.org to download an application or call the NCCAT Teacher Services at 1-800-922-0482. January through April seminars have been filled, but you can be placed on a waiting list with an application. Registration for May through August seminars begins on February 3 for teachers who have never attended an NCCAT renewal seminar and on March 3 for NCCAT alum. If you have any questions about particular seminars, please feel free to call Renée Coward, NCCAT representative and NCSTA member.

Environmental Science Education Workshops
This hands-on workshop is for North Carolina middle and elementary school science teachers. Teachers will participate in learning activities that have been correlated with the North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study for middle and elementary grades. Staff from The Science House, NCSU, will lead this workshop, as well as a trainer from Lab-Aids, Inc. Everyone completing the workshop will receive a FREE copy of The NSF STC/Science House's new publication, Environmental Science: A Collection of Activities for the Middle School Classroom. To learn more and register visit the workshop web page - www.science-house.org/workshops/ee/.

Forensic DNA Workshop
Late blight caused by the plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans causes a devastating disease of potato and tomato and over 150 years ago was responsible for the Irish potato famine. The objectives of the workshop are to promote genomic sciences education among North Carolina High School teachers using forensic DNA diagnostic kits for the identification and haplotyping of strains of the Irish potato famine pathogen, P. infestans. The kits have been developed in the laboratory of Dr. Jean Ristaino at NCSU and Carolina Biological Supply Company. We will learn about the social, ethical and historical implications of this important plant disease. Teachers will receive teaching materials and supplies after completion of the workshop. To register visit the workshop web page - www.science-house.org/workshops/pathogen.html.

Emerging Issues Short Course
Join 20 experienced high school teachers for three days at NC State University and explore new cutting edge science and technology. Visit campus research laboratories and talk with scientists and technicians about their work in genomics, bioinformatics, and NMR molecular imaging. Time will be given to discussing the current applications of the research, the technology needed, and possible uses in the future. Learn how to implement discussions and activities on these topics into your curriculum and meet state and national standards. Learn more at www.science-house.org/student/hhmi/est/

Physics from the Junk Drawer/Countertop Chemistry
The Health Adventure in Asheville, NC announces two free workshops for K-12 teachers July 29 and 30, 2003. Physics from the Junk Drawer, July 29The title describes it! This hands-on workshop is applicable to all grade teachers, emphasizing simple activities, inquiry, and familiar materials. Participants get to carry out the activities themselves and are provided copies of activities. Learn activities and demos to amaze your students! Both workshops will be held at The Health Adventure in downtown Asheville (directions) from 9 am - 3 pm. Participants can register for one or both workshops and will receive 0.5 CEUs for each workshop. Registration Deadline July 15. To register visit www.science-house.org/info/asheville/tha.html

Bring the Science House Teacher Workshops to Your School
The Science House also provides one or two-day programs to update and refresh teachers' mathematics, science, and Internet skills. These workshops have been taught many times in schools across North Carolina. Our workshop participants learn skills and activities that they can immediately use in their own classrooms. We especially emphasize programs to help meet teacher technology competencies. Each workshop can be tailored to fit local needs. Please visit the workshop web page (www.science-house.org/workshops/) for more information on our workshop or contact Scott Ragan (scott_ragan@ncsu.edu) at The Science House or call (919) 515-6118.

Join the NC Museum of Natural Sciences this summer for explorations of some of North Carolina's incredible natural areas as we learn about topics from salt marshes to mountain salamanders to Museum collections and exhibits (see trek descriptions below)! Our teacher treks are open to all manner of educators from classroom teachers to park rangers and anyone else that teaches children or adults about the natural world. To register, visit our web site at www.naturalsciences.org and download the registration and application forms in the Education section. All museum educator treks meet various criteria for the Environmental Education Certification Program through the NC Office of Environmental Education. Registration for these treks is on a first-come, first-served basis, so register early. For more information, contact Mike Dunn at mike.dunn@ncmail.net.

Project Museum: North Carolina Like You've Never Seen It!, Raleigh, NC, Monday, July 14-Friday, July 18, 2003
Cost: $105 (includes 3 lunches, 2 dinners); an additional $70 covers double occupancy lodging and 4 breakfasts
Registration Deadline: May 23, 2003 for applicants requesting lodging
Come to the Museum of Natural Sciences, the largest natural history museum in the Southeast, and explore North Carolina's natural history. Take a behind the scenes look at museum research, education, and exhibits. Expand your knowledge of natural history and the techniques used to study it. Bring museum resources back to the classroom including hands-on activities and materials to help meet curriculum goals. Learn how to use the Museum to prepare yourself and your students for field experiences. We will spend a day at nearby William B. Umstead State Park to complete its Environmental Education Learning Experience (EELE).

Coastal Ecology, Ocracoke, NC, Sunday, July 6 - Thursday, July 10, 2003
Cost: $350 (includes lodging, meals, kayak rental)
Experience barrier island ecology by hiking through maritime forests, paddling around salt marshes, and combing the beach. Learn how plants and animals cope with the difficulties of living on a barrier island. Study the complex food webs that help make North Carolina's coast one of the most productive in the world. Discover how the unique environment of the Outer Banks has shaped its history and folklore.

Mountain Ecology, Little Switzerland, NC, Monday, July 21-Friday, July 25, 2003
Cost: $325 (includes lodging, most meals, whitewater rafting)
Explore the unique habitat atop North Carolina's highest mountain peak, Mt. Mitchell. Discuss threats to high-altitude Appalachian ecosystems and mountain watersheds. Birds, salamanders, and stream macroinvertebrates will be included in our comparison of life zones as we descend to the waters of the South Toe River. Finally, we'll sample the dynamics of a mountain watershed with a whitewater experience on the French Broad River, near Hot Springs, NC.

Monarch Butterflies in the Classroom, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC
Saturday, August 23, 2003, 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m., Cost: $50 (includes classroom resource materials, milkweed plants, and lunch) Monarch butterflies are an excellent tool for integrating many curriculum topics from science to social studies. Learn about the life cycle, ecology, and conservation of monarch butterflies; how to raise them in the classroom; and how to create a successful monarch garden at your school. We will also help you become citizen scientists by sharing how you can participate in research projects on monarch butterfly migration and monarch larval population studies.

Educators of Excellence Institutes
The Educators of Excellence program was established in 1987 to:

Each year, the Museum offers a selection of incredible field experiences for educators from across the state. The Institutes are subsidized by the Educators of Excellence Fund which was created to offer quality natural science learning opportunities for outstanding educators. Admission to the Institutes is through a competitive application process. We encourage previous applicants to reapply.
For more information, or to request a printed application (available after January 2002), please contact Sylvia Jones at (919) 733-7450 ext. 600.

Yellowstone Ecology Institute, Yellowstone National Park, Tuesday, June 17 to Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Home to American bison, gray wolves, elk, moose, and grizzly bears, Yellowstone National Park is one of the premier wilderness areas in the world. Explore America's first national park and its magnificent wildlife, unique geology, and historical importance in the formation of our National Park System. Learn about the reintroduction of wolves, the role of fire in natural ecosystems, and other conservation and environmental issues facing both North Carolina and Yellowstone.

Tropical Ecology Institute, Belize, Central America, Monday, July 14-Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Learn firsthand about surprising similarities between the tropics and your own backyard. Discover exotic species of birds, butterflies, arthropods, and other animals unique to the tropics. On this nine-day adventure, educators from North Carolina and Belize will explore the Cockscomb Basin rain forest, Mayan ruins, and a coral reef, with in-depth information provided by Museum naturalists. Since 1987, the Tropical Ecology Institute in Belize has helped outstanding North Carolina educators experience the connections between North Carolina and the tropics.

For more information on teacher treks and other museum services, visit our web site at www.naturalsciences.org or contact Mike Dunn at (919) 733-7450 ext 620 or Mike.Dunn@ncmail.net

Center for Mathematics and Science Education
The following courses are being offered at CMSE in Chapel Hill. Graduate credit and stipends are available. Visit www.unc.edu/depts/cmse/ for more information.

Mark your calendars now for the National Marine Educators Association’s annual conference taking place in Wilmington, NC July 20-24. Registration information is now available online www.marine-edu.org/nmea2003 so save your pennies and get ready to enjoy a week of summer in sunny, coastal North Carolina “Taking Marine Education By Storm!”

In addition to a keynote address by the Weather Channel’s noted meteorologist Dr. Steve Lyons, appearances by Dr. Stan Riggs, coastal geologist, and Jay Barnes, author of North Carolina’s Hurricane History, will enlighten and entertain us. A Cape Fear River tour aboard the “Henrietta III,” a 156-foot riverboat, will introduce us to the river environs and, field excursions to explore the best of North Carolina’s southeastern coast will finish out the week. The strength of the conference lies in the depth and breadth of concurrent session offerings. With topics ranging from hurricanes to shipwrecks, watershed monitoring to ocean observing systems, and Blackbeard to aquatic bugs, you'll find over 150 concurrent sessions led by scientists, university faculty, resource managers, and K-12 educators from schools, government agencies, museums, science centers, and aquariums.

GIS Leadership Series
Discover how GIS (Geographic Information Systems) technology can enrich environmental education in your classroom. Workshops include an examination of water issues in North Carolina, focusing on polluted runoff, using ArcVoyager and ArcView software. GPS units used on site. All GIS workshops offered on the NC State University campus, 5th floor Jordan Hall, Raleigh, N.C.

Step I, Beginning ArcVoyager Workshop, May 2 and 3, Friday night and Saturday
Participants will learn how to use GIS in the classroom using ArcVoyager Special Edition, free GIS software. See where and how to access free local data from the Internet (could be GLOBE data) and learn how to construct a Community Atlas project (through which K12 schools can earn additional free GIS software). Participants will receive instructional notebooks with curricular plans and ideas, software, and a data CD. Cost is $15.00 for registration.

Step II, Mapping Our School Site (MOSS), June 9-13 , July 21-25
Mapping Our School Site (MOSS) is a free online curriculum that integrates the teaching of inquiry and problem-solving using ArcView (GIS), and GPS as students learn environmental science concepts. Learn how you can use digital aerial photography to map and model your school campus. Additional related lab activities will be shared. Participants will receive software, data CD, and an instructional notebook with curricular plans and ideas. Cost is $60.00 for registration.

Step IV, Advanced GIS, June 16-20
For those who have basic proficiency with the use of ArcView geographic information system (GIS) software in schools, this workshop will help you to develop advanced skills and become a mentor to other teachers. Learn how to locate data, especially on water related topics and prepare it for students' use. Learn how to use extensions in order to give your GIS software more capability. Cost is $60.00 for registration.

Grandfather Mountain Residential Workshop
A workshop for educators in the mountain environment. Participants will have an entirely different mountain experience, as we share with visitors from Brazil and Finland. Lectures, discussions with scientists, and outdoor activities on air quality, mountain bogs, habitat preservation, biodiversity, and human influences. Participation in fieldwork, technology applications, environmental monitoring, ArcVoyager instruction.

Graduate credit, CEU, and EEU credits available upon successful completion of additional requirements. Application forms available at www.ncsu.edu/scilink

Biotechnology Workshops for Educators
The North Carolina Biotechnology Center will once again sponsor its popular and highly acclaimed Summer Biotechnology Workshops for Educators. These workshops bring together educators in a stimulating and collegial environment to learn how to successfully present biotechnology lessons that appeal to today's students. Workshops cover the nuts and bolts of the science while introducing hands-on biotechniques that reinforce objectives in the competency goals for grades 9-12 found in the NC Science Standard Course of Study.

All four workshops being presented this summer carry renewal credits (CEUs) and some may provide graduate credit (check with the appropriate workshop coordinator). Apart from a $75 registration fee that is fully refundable prior to May 9, workshop attendance, room (double-occupancy) and board (2 meals/day) are free to educators who teach in North Carolina. A stipend of $40/day will be provided to all participants who complete the workshop. Public School Teachers: Your LEA may provide the registration fee. Be sure to get prior approval for participation. Graduates of the North Carolina Summer Workshops receive access to the Center's Reservable Lab Equipment Loan and Free Lab Supplies Programs for Teachers. Complete information about this summer's workshop topics and schedule along with registration materials is available at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center website at www.ncbiotech.org/ouractivities/education/summer.cfm.

2003 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/National Science
Teachers Association (NSTA) Professional Development Program in Food
Science
For the fourth year, middle level and high school teachers from across the country will be convening in Washington, DC, for the FDA/NSTA Professional Development Program in Food Science. The 25 middle school teachers selected to participate will meet July 6-13, and those 25 high school teachers selected will meet July 27-Aug. 3.

The program, funded by FDA, provides teachers an opportunity to gain an understanding of food science and to learn how to create topically relevant lessons in food science for their students. During the weeklong program, teachers meet with leading FDA food scientists, tour food science laboratories and food processing facilities, and delve into the FDA/NSTA supplementary food science curriculum "Science and Our Food Supply." Teachers have an opportunity to brush up on their laboratory skills by conducting the many laboratory exercises contained in the curriculum, investigate Web-based food safety resources, and share classroom teaching techniques for successfully using "Science and Our
Food Supply."

A unique feature of the professional development program is the teacher-presented workshops. Each teacher is expected to present a follow-up workshop for other teachers during the 2003-2004 academic year. An honorarium and reimbursement for expenses are provided. FDA and NSTA are committed to a 2003 goal of having a teacher from every state and the District of Columbia participate in the program. Priority consideration will be given to applications from teachers teaching in Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, West Virginia and Utah, and the District of Columbia. Teachers have until March 1, 2003, to apply. Applications are available online at: http://www.nsta.org/fda
Applications may also be requested by writing to:
FDA/NSTA Professional Development Program in Food Science, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201, or by faxing a request to 703-522-5413.

Investigating Your Environment Workshops
Each summer the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources (NCDFR) offers educators a chance to explore the environment with innovative learning activities suitable for integration into any school curriculum.

In “Investigating Your Environment” workshops, teachers become the students; collecting, recording and interpreting information about the environment. They then analyze the information and make inferences about the physical, social and economic impacts on the environment. All the while, learning to use the outdoors as a classroom with their students.

These workshops are eligible for 3 C.E.U.’s and North Carolina Environmental Education Certification. Teachers must receive prior approval for C.E.U. credit from their local central office In-Service Coordinator. Appalachian State University has approved credits for the mountain workshop; UNC Wilmington has approved the coastal credits.

IYE for western N.C. is July 7-11, 2003 at Corpening Training Facility in Crossnore, NC. Lodging is for five nights, beginning on Sunday and meals begin with breakfast on Monday and conclude with lunch on Friday. All expenses are covered with a $35 registration fee.

IYE for eastern N.C. is July 14-18, 2003 at Singletary Lake State Park. Lodging is for four nights, beginning on Monday evening. Breakfast and lunch will be provided beginning with breakfast on Monday and conclude with lunch on Friday. Lodging and two meals each day are covered with a $35 registration fee.